Go Ahead and Fidget. It May be Good for Your Health

Posted by Medicare Made Clear

The current recommendations for the amount of physical activity needed by older adults to maintain health is a minimum of 30 minutes a day, five days per week1. Don’t worry if your schedule is too busy to allow for a 30-minute block of time to exercise. There are still ways to meet the guidelines. For example, instead of taking a 30 minute walk, take three 10-minute walks.

Even small movements like fidgeting while watching TV may help burn calories. According to an NBCNews.com article, the Mayo Clinic found people can sometimes burn an extra 300 to 350 calories a day just by fidgeting or moving around.2 And since 3500 calories equals a pound, you could possibly burn the equivalent of one pound every ten days just by fidgeting!

There are many ways to add small movements to your day, including:

Stand instead of sit

Take the stairs instead of the elevator

Park at the far end of the parking lot

Wash the dishes the old-fashioned way, by hand, instead of using the dishwasher

Stand or pace while talking on the phone

Walk to the store instead of driving the car

Wash the car by hand instead of using the automatic carwash

Walk inside the bank instead of using the drive-through

Just about any movement can be counted as physical activity. Get moving and see what happens.

For more information, explore MedicareMadeClear.com or contact the Medicare helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048.

Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies. For Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans: A Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.